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KEEN I 




ORATION, 



JULY 4. 181 J. 



/ 

AN 

ORATION, 2^ 

DELIVERED IN ^2-^^ 

ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH, 

CHARLESTON, S0UTH-CAR0LL>J A ; 

OiV TUESDJr, THE FOURTH OF JVLr, 1815 % 

IN COMMEMORATION OF 

AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE; 

BY APPOINTMENT OF THB 

SOUTH-CJROLINA ^TATE SOCIETY 
OF CINCINNATI, 

Anci puhlljhed at the Requeft of that Society j 
AND ALSO OF THE 

AMERICAN REVOLUTION SOCIETY. 



BY CHRISTOPHER R. GREENE, 

A Member of the Cincinnati. 



CHARLESTON.- 
PRINTED BY W. P. YOUNG, No. 44, BROAD-STE.EET, 

1815. 



1215 • 



1 



^\ /K ^^^^^^^^i^^'- 



{J3^ The following 'pages were composed at sJiort 
notice ; and the portion of time allotted^ was inces- 
santly interrupted hy mercantile avocations. The 
author^ however, found, and he hopes ever to find, a 
resource and an incentive in the most generous 
friendship. There are faults, . which he had not 
time to amend — there are passages, which he has 
not talents to improve. In yielding to the polite 
request of Ms friends of the American Revolution 
Society, and of his Brethren of the Cincinnati^ 
he is confident that every indulgence will be shown 
him, which friendship can either desire or bestow. 
Time will never obliterate from his heart the im- 
pression of their kindness — and in the land where 
'' the stranger finds a home" — where the deeds of 
valor and patriotism are blended with the mild 
and endearing virtues, he may indulge a hope, that 
his motives will be duly appreciated, and his faults 
be generously consigned to oblivion, 

" For the bright wreaths that other days have graced, 
** Entwined by Genius, and matured by Talle ; 
" Accept the humble offering 1 beftow, 
*' Of flowers, that wither in the day, they -blow/* 
A 2 



ORATIOM. &c. 



Friends and Fellow-Citizens. 

This is the birth-day of our Republic, 
It was born of the fpirit of Liberty — cradled amid 
the councils of Wiidom — and nurfed in the arms 
of Valor. It defcended from an unnatural Pa« 
rent, who, like Saturn, attempted to deflroy 
its own ofTspring. But flill it flourifhed. Earth 
yielded it her treafures — Ocean was its barrier 
and its mine; and its infant flruggles for exift- 
encewere crowned with vi61ory and fame. How 
many patriot hearts bled for its prote61ion — how 
many fainted fpiriis hovered over it in the hour 
of danger ! The brave men of the Eafl came to 
fight its battles; for the foul of chivalry delights 
to defend the weak, and refcue the oppreft. It 
flourifhed beyond hope or expe6lation. The firft 
link that tyranny forged to enflave it^ was fevered 
by its fword; and difdaining' to follow in leading 
firings an arbitrary, unkind and defpotic parent, 
it aflbmed the Independent flation, for which na- 
ture had defigned it. 

The tear of filial piety marked the feparation. 
It embarked on an unknown ocean, without 
chart, or compafs, or beacon — it efcapcd the 
quick-fands — it furvived the tempeft, and the fu- 
perintending Providence of Heaven ctndu61ed 
it in fafety to the Haven of Peace. 
A 3 



And fnall not this Nation annually revert to 
the perilous and intcrefting Icenes of its youth? 
Shall there be no day fet apart; v/hen all private 
and felfifh avocafions (hall ceafe — When the altars 
of Patriotlfni (hall burn with univerfal incenfe — 
V/hin the aged flia!! perceive that their lervices 
a»"e remembered, and the young fhall learn how 
to ierve their country — When we fhall renew the 
.vows of Freedom in the prefence of the Cod of 
Empires ? Yes^ inch a day has been appointed 
by the common confcnt of this whole people, 
and this morning heard it proclaimed by the wel- 
come of arhllery from Orleans to Flattsbnrg. 

Hear our rejoicings, and receive onr thanksgiv- 
ings, O thou Omnipotent Ruler of Nations, and 
while other countries groan under thy wrathful 
indignation, <^rant us eternal U.nion^ Liberty and 
Peace ! 

The picture of the revoluiioiih^i's, been fo often, 
and fo ably drawn — its lights and (hades fo hap- 
pily blended — that any attempt to imitate it, 
would be dangerous — any hope to amend it def- 
perate. Its colours live in the memory; and its 
imprefiiori is transferred to the heart. But if 
there be any Itranger in this affembly, who has 
not yet heard the glowing narrative of our early 
fufferings and achievements; let him imagine 
thai he fees before him a mighty and vi61;orious 
nation, affailing with fleets and armies, a young 
and almod uncivilized people — witliout fkill in 
.rrts or arms — altc.c;\:iher unprepared for the con* 
ilicl — called from the purfuits of Agriculiure to 
defend their foil from invafion. Their foil, alas is 



fertile in noxious weeds, which cmbarrafs their ef- 
forts; and it is crimfoned with blood alike by 
external and by internal foes. AH the horrors of 
war furround them. The fervant betrays — the 
favage daughters — the civilized would enflave 
them. Chains are forged for them abroad — 
fcalping-knives await them at home. They fuf- 
fer — they perfevere — they triumph ! Their caufe 
is juft — their leaders are wife ; and when they 
lofe a warrior on earth, they gain an advocate in 
Heaven. The armies of the invader are made 
captive — his fleets are vanquifhedand return with 
ihattered fails — the fhadows of flavery are difper- 
fed — and the fun of liberty fheds its tranquil 
luftre on a delighted people. 

Who would fuppole, that ever again the inva- 
der would attempt to pollute our land? He might 
come, as many have come, to flourifh in the fun- 
Ihine of freedom ; but who would fuppofe him 
rafh enough to indulge the hope, that he could 
quench its heat or fplendor? 

He feems to have forgotten the pad — will he 
forget the prefent? Will time again obliterate 
learning, and render experience ufelefs ? The 
f^me lelTon has been renewed at New-Orleans, 
which was taught at York-Town ; and Packenhani 
abandoned with his life an enterprize^ which 
Cornwallis lived to abandon. 

Let it not be fuppofed, that the American Ke- 
volution difplayed merely that bravery and love, 
of country, which were fo confpicuous in Us 
progrefs. It was a fchocl for ilatefmen, as well as 
foldiers. In their modes of thinking and a61ing — 



8 

in their fpeculations on law and government, 
vera exhibited boldnefs and originality. Our 
rulers had no imaginary guardian, with whom 
they fecretly converfed. They fought not ^nih 
Numa the grove of ^.geria — but feemed to hold 
communication, like Franklin, with Heaven. 
They colle61ed and concentrated the light of 
ages. 

Their deliberations produced the Conftitution 
of the United States — the bed fyftem of govern- 
ment, ^vhich human ingenuity has ever devifed — 
the only fyflem, under which liberty can be 
fecure. The wifdom of Solon was furpaflfed— 
the vifions of Plato were realized, when the 
Federal Conftltution, like a fecond Minerva, 
fprang into life and beauty. 

What is the phantom of Spanirti liberty, for 
the purchafe of which fo much blood and treafure 
have been expended? What is it, but the liberty 
of being tortured on the rack, or mingling the 
lafl (igh of life with the fmoke, that enfhrouds the 
flake of fuperftition ? What is the liberty of 
France, except that of being a confcript, and 
bleeding for the glory of the Defpot, who governs 
it ? What, even in England, is the boafled libert^y 
of the fubje6l, often betrayed by the Commons, 
and oppreffed by the Ariftocracy of the country, 
of which the moft elevated is unfortunately the 
mod corrupt? All thefe governments are founded 
on the abfurd and revolting idea, that genius and 
virtue are hereditary ; and that the Almighty has 
limited the talent of governing to fome eight or 
ten families of the human race. 



To vecoiuU all the immunities which we enjoy, 
and to praife as it deferves this monument of 
pohtical wisdom, is necefTarily denied me. It 
ihould howevci' form the Audy of thofc, who as- 
pire to govern this, or enlighten other nations. 

In other countries, govcrnmcntr, have been 
formed by accident, by fraud, or by force ; by 
the acquiesence of the many, in the usurpations 
of the few. But in this favored land, by the 
coiieciive virtue, the difpaffionate and delibe- 
rative wifdom, of patriots and fages. They faw 
the tempeftuous ocean of the paft, over vv'hofe 
furface fo many meteors had rifen, glittered and 
fallen; and they extended over the wetlern world, 
the arch of promife and of glory. It will only 
hde away and mingle with the fhadows of fallen 
greatnefs, where thq rays of Public Viktue, fhall 
ceafe to illumine the materials that compofe it. 
It is only when we ceafe to be virtuous, that we 
Ihall ceafe to be Free. 

It is the misfortune of monarchy, that on 
the chara61er of the Sovereign, depends the 
happinefs of the people. It is this confidera- 
tion which renders the fate, the vices, the fall 
of Kings, fo painfully interefting. The events 
of a century furnifh a commentary on mon- 
archical government, which hiflory has written 
in tears. Contemplate for a moment the con- 
dition of thole unhappy beings, who come to 
vex ihe world with fceptres and v^ith crowns. 
There is a tremejidoas inliability in their great- 
nefo ! Where is the crown, that has not fallen ? 

B 



lO 

Where the (hrone, that has not bluflied with the 
blood of its fo\ foreign ? Where the people who 
have enjoyed either PEACE or FREEDOM ? 
Europe has bled, it has proiufely bled for Li~ 
berty — it has only changed its Tyrants. The 
diadem, continues to be a crown of thorns to 
the Prince — the fccptre, a fcourge to the fub- 
jed. It cannot be necetTary to dilate on fuch a 
theme inordcrconfirm yourattachment toourown 
free government. Spain, Holland, Italy, Poland — 
and the verdant Ille, where genius and valor 

have won every thing but freedom where 

humanity weeps over violated rights, with the 
virtue that Ihould redeem them! Thefe all arife 
in their forrows before you. We will not lift 
the veil that conceals their tears. But let us 
refolve to cherifh and transmit, the principles 
and virtues, which have converted a wildernefs 
into an Eden, and to prote6l equally the flowers 
that adorn, the beauty that endears, and the 
Freedom that has chofen it, as her lad and favorite 
abode. 

We cannot, my countrymen, ftanding on the 
enviable eminence which we have attained 
through the toil of the heroes of 'T6 — we cannot 
be infcnfible of their claims to our remembrance 
and gratitude. No man fhould remain in obfcurity, 
who has aided in erc6iing the fabric of our liber- 
ties. No man fhould pine in indigence, who has 
fought the battles of his country. And here we 
nrc led by fympathy to our recent war — to the 
contemplation of thofe g:\llant fpitits^ the illuf- 
trious compeers of the heroes of the revolation. 



n 

who have (gained a new, an abundant harveH: ol 
renown. The War has given ftrength and fplen- 
dor to the chain of Union. Every link exhibits 
the luftre of the diamond. Local feelings are 
abforbcd in the proud feelings of an American, 
Every flate, every city in the Union, may boaft 
fome champion of the public rights, who has 
ennobled his name by his deeds; and if any where 
the tear ftill flows on the urn of unfortunate va- 
lor, there the laurel mingles with the cyprefs. — 
What American is not proud of Perry and M'Do- 
NOUGii— of Jackson and Macomb? Who is there 
fo much in love with life, that he would not die, 
to flcep, like Pikk, on the flag of the enemy — 
or, like Lawkence, bleed on his own? Chippewa, 
Niagara and Erie, fhall live in liifi;ory, with Mara- 
thon, Salamis and Platx, monuments of Repub- 
lican (kill and prowefs. 

The ancient Republics, wei'e at once brave 
and ungrateful. Thev rewarded their benefactors 
with lufpicion, and exiled their deliverers. And 
I grieve to think there (hould be any imitation on 
our part, of a trait like this. I grieve to think 
that many of our meritorious officers, whofe 
fidelity and valor have made them cripples, 
lliould therefore be difcharged from the protec- 
tion of the nation they have ferved. Our cfcut- 
cheon mufl: not be difgraced by fuch a flain. 
Individual or public generofity, muft redeem and 
teftore it. The economy which blights virtue, 
deferts valor, and leaves the heart which ha;i 
bled for its country, without the means of fub- 
B 2 



12 

iiflence, can never receive the fandion of a 
patriotic people. 

The events of the late war have been cheering 
to the Patriot, and glorious to the country. 
Americans have contended with the veterans of 
Europe, and have triumphed. Statesmen rejoicCj 
that our national government is fufficiently ener- 
getic to prote6l, but not to opprefs the people ; 
that it can fuftain the rudeil fliocks of war, as well 
as diffufe the bleffings of peace— that it is 
equal to all the exigencies of ftate, and worthy of 
all the afle6iions of a generous and high minded 
people. In an age of revolutions, it has remain- 
ed ftable and firm ; *' Free, Sovereign and Inde- 
pendent.'* The example of one nation, feemed 
to obtrude upon the recoiling vifion of human- 
ity, to profcribe Republics — the patient forbear- 
ance of another, almoft to degrade them. But 
the day of humiliation has palTed avva^/, never to 
return. The glory of our Republic, now burfts 
on the averted vifion of kings, glitters on the 
fragments of their fceptres, and amid falling 
crowns and exiled monarchs,beam§ with the influ- 
ence o( Hope over fubje^led nations h has re- 
moved the veil, which during a peace of thirty 
years, the arrogance of Europe, had thrown over 
the gigantic features of America. The cloud has 
vanifhed from the biMghtncfs of her courfe. 

On the ocean, and on the land, fucccfs has 
crowned our arms with equal luRre. The thun- 
ders of Niagara, which feemed to roll like its 
waters from Erie, are re-echoed from the Mil- 
iiiTippi; and the '' Northern Light'' which 



IS 

undulates on the Atlantic and the Lakes, is refieci- 
ed from the vi61orioiis Ihields of the South. 

The defence of Nkw-Orlea>ts, hasattra6led the 
admiration of the vrorld, and dcfcrves a monu- 
ment of renown " sere perennius." What is not 
due to that confummate (kill and valor, which 
met, vanquifhed, repelled, exiled from our 
iliores the conquerors of Europe, flufhed with 
recent triumph, and panting for new fpoils ? No 
man can eflimate the deliverance, who does not 
perceive the danger. look, my friends, at the 
iituation of that city, on the eve of the day, when 
its fate was decided It is an awful moment of 
preparation and fufpenfe. The heart of the pa- 
triot bleeds — the foldier looks forward almoft 
without hope — the mother clafps her infant in 
her arms in fpeechlefs agony, and the cloiller 
refounds with the prayers of Innocence, fuing 1o 
the Almighty for protection from difhonor. To- 
morrov/, that child may bean orphan — that mo- 
ther awidow — and the fan^uary where Innocence 
and Beauty retire for fafety, and Piety for devo- 
tion, may be profaned and violated by a licentious 
foldiery. Tomorrrow may behold that city defo- 
late — its defenders ilain — its ilreets deluged with 
blood — Tomorrow may fee the flag of the enemtf 

tvaving-^ Oh no! it never was deftined for fuch 

a triumph I The day of carnage dawns, and the 
noife of artillery awakens the morning. The Sun 
rifes on plains already red, and ftrives in vain to 
pencrrate the fmokc o! i),attle. The columns of 
the enemy advance, /ilcnt and terrible, certain 
B 5 



H 

of conquerr. What liave the viclors [of Thouloufe 
to fear fi-onl an Uiidifciplincd Jiordc of militia, 
collecied promifcOoufly like leaves, among the 
'weftern woods ? What are the entrenchments of 
New-Orleario^ to the walls of St. vSebaftians? For 
once they are deceived — the tide of vi6iory turns 
againlt them. They have to encounter in that 
fmall and defiiltory band, the fpirit of patriotifm, 
and the fpirit of Liberty, enthufiaitic from def- 
pair. Behind thofe feeble lines, are the ram- 
parts which the Almighty rears, around the breaRs 
of Frei?.mfa% Infpired by lofty and heroic fenti- 
mcnts, and roufed to deeds of valor by the ex- 
ample of their leader, the American militia Hay,, 
rout ard difperfe, the difciplined troops of Great- 
Britain. The Lion crouches in the grafs— the 
Eaj>le foars to LIcaven ! Scarcely one of our fol- 
dicrs fails in battle — while the field is covered 
^vith the Englifli dead. That city, lately full of 
grief and terror, now refounds with thankf- 
giving and joy. Every eye beams with tranfport, 
every heart glows with gratitude — and genius and 
beauty weave the fong and the wreath, for the 
defenders of their country. 

— ■ AllD THEY SHALL LIVE FOR EVER. 

CcmpalTiGn is the foul of valor, and the firft 
care of the victors, is generoully dirccled to the 
vanquiflied, to foothe the v/ounded and the dying. 
Let us not then, reprcfs the tear of manly fympa- 
thy, for thofe gallant foldiers of tlio enemy, who 
ihall never again revifit, the land of their anceftois, 
Britain ihall wafh with tears, the tablet that re« 
cords the battle of New-Okleans. 



^5 

The fca, once glaring on the dark bofom ot 
iTiidnight, \vith the conilagration oT our defence- 
lefsCoinmcrcC;, is now luminous with the exploits 
of our galiaut Navy. Ihe wave:, as on the fhield 
of Achilles, lecms to roil in gold. 

Our ocean battles, are witliout a parallel, and 
deferveall the celebrity which genius can beitow. 
The hero and the artift, indeed auiil form an alli- 
ance, if they would descend to poiterity. The 
fmokc of battle foon ascends, and is invifible. If 
arrciled by the painter, it remains for ever on 
the canvas. The bay on the brow of the con- 
queror, droops and withers. The waters of^Helicon 
muft rellore and preferve it. The Chieftain 
himfelf moulders into duft— the fculptor.muflraife 
him to live in bronze and marbre — the glory of 
the pad — the model of the future. Many a field 
of renown, and manyaiield of valor, are unnoticed 
becaufe unfun<j. But for the poem of the Iliad, 
ancient Greece would have been without a monu- 
ment to record her achievements — modern Greece 
without an example to fhame her degeneracy. 
Alexander flept with Homer under his pillow^ 
and became ^reat bv contaoion. 

The fong of the bard difpels oblivion. It in- 
fpires and rewards greatnefs — kindles and ciowns 
enthufiafm. If the Naval Vi6^ories of the United 
States^ had been gained in any of thofe fortunate 
periods, v/hich produced the Poets and Ora- 
tors of antiquity, games would have been in- 
ftituted to commemorate thep, and genius have 
contended in their eulogy. And is there no fou 
of infpiration in this Weitcrn world, who blc:id~ 



i6 

)ng the deeds of heroifm with the ftrains of fong, 
(hall make the prefent time live for the future, 
and rear a memorial of his country's greatnefs ? 
Is there no daring adventurer who will form the 
pearls of Ocean into a v^reath, to deck the brow 
of Naval Enterprize ? What was the Scamander 
to Lake Erie, or the burning watfcrs of Xanthus, 
to the fiery flood of Champlain ? What all the 
fhips of antiquity from the Argonauts down, com- 
pared with the glorious exploits of OUlt OWN 
CONSTITUTION > The Mufes have defcended 
to eulogize the triumphs of the Britifh flag — 
Americans have humbled it : Valor has torn it 
from the mafl:. The waves have covered it. The 
'^ meteor flag of England/* has faded and fallen. 
And fliall not American Genius, walking on the 
Vt'aves where flie triumphs, flrike the harp of 
David, when Gollah is overthrown ? 

Our infant Navy has yet another field, in which 
the Patriot may ferve his country, and the valiant 
gain renown. It goes to punifh the atrocious 
cruelties of the Tyrant of Algiers, and to infcribe 
letters of glory, on the columns of Hercules. It 
goes to civilize the lavage ; to fcoiirge the in- 
iidel ; io deflroy the opprefibr ; to gain new 
triumphs for the Crofs, and for mankind. Shame 
oil the warriors of Europe, that a petty African 
pirate, fliould fo long and with fuch impunity, 
have trampled on the rights and independence 
of nations. Here wat : rufade, worthy of chriflian 
and enlightened Princes. Here was au occa- 
iion, where war might be waged without crime, 
md battles v/on without a tear ; when the Deity 



M 

v;ould f?,n8ionthe il rife, and Religion crown the 
chanTjllon. This conteft was rcferved for us. 
With its peril, and its glorjj it is ours. If we were 
richer than we nre, we could not pay tribute. U 
'\e v.'erc weaker than we are, we could not tole- 
rate injury; and although we had lefs of the 
foirit of our anceftcrs, we could not endure, that 
an AMERICAN fliould be enslaved! 

Succefs to thofe. gallant fpirits, who are gone 
to encounter the African Snake, coiled under his 
own tree, full of deadly and accumulated venom. 
When, hereiifier, the traveller fliall pafsin fecurity 
the fpot, where fo many have pcriHied, and (hall 
fjnd that the fang of the Serpent is drawn, he 
will venerate and acla^ire, the chara61eriri}c valor 
and magnanimity of this Weftern Republic, which 
combats at once for itfelf, and the world. 

The ravenous fpirit of War, fated with carnage 
in the wed, returr.s to renew his ravages on the 
Eaftern continent We are again at peace with the 
iand of our anceflors. Let us indulge the hope 
that it will be durable, as it is prosperous. 

We hail the return of Peace, for it finds us in 
the arms of glory, in the poffefTion of a national 
chara6ier, unfiillied and unparallelled. We hail its 
return, for it quenches the torch of war, heals the 
bleeding wounds of our country — baniihes rnifery^ 
and dififufes bleffings. This State has not expe- 
rienced the ordinary calamities of fanguinary and 
unprincipled warfare — fe.v of our youth have 
fallen— the exterminating falchion, which glitter- 
ed in terror before us, has not defcendcd upon 
• ^ '■ ' G ' 



i8 

its vi^lims— and we .have been exempt cd froin 
thofe Ccil?mities, at the contemplition of whicli 
the heart sfiiudders, and the foul is in arms — thofe 
fecret dangers, which threatened at raidnight the 
defencelefs pillow of innocence and beauty ! Not 
lefs lively therefore fhould be our gratituJe, than 
if we had actually feen the fwoid of Cherubim 
flaming to defend us ! 

May we not hope^ that by the happy return of 
Peace, political afperities will be fo'tencd and 
removed, Sz that the government, by whomfoever 
adminiflered, will confult the experience of the 
paft, and fecurc the profpcrity of the future ? 
The war has be en fruitful in caufes of complaint, 
and in fubjecls of exultation. It has however 
been productive of benefit. Viclory has been 
ours, whenever our liberties have been ferioufiv^ 
afTailed ;and the tide of invafion has been every 
where repelled. We may expecl, that the veiTel 
of State, will not again be jeopardifed ; that our 
rights will not foon be again violated ; and we 
may be encouraged to repair our loffes, for anew 
and fafer voyage. 

The CONSTITUTION remains uninjured. It 
has prote61ed the country ; it has protected itfelf. 
It has eluded its purfuers ; it has vanquifhed its 
aflailants ; and lies at its moorings, in iafety and 
in triumph. The American cha]fa61er has been 
developed, and has marched with a giant flep 
from obfcurity to fame. 

The naturalills and ReY!e\vers of Europe muft 
now liiid other topics of feif-gratulation, than a 
comparifon of the old with the new world. Hif 



19 

tory has turned their fpeculations into ridicule^ 
and fa61s have d-^molifhed their vain-glorious 
theories. Envy miili: now ceafe to affe^l the 
language of contempt, or incur the ridicule, it 
provokes. The lightning of Franklin's genius, 
has flafhed convi6lion ; the lofty charader of 
Wafhington, without a parallel ; the profound in- 
vefligation of Hamilton; the attic and glowing elo- 
quence of Ames ; the elegant and claffical pro- 
d ciions of him,* over whofe tomb HiHiory is now 
feen to weep ; innumerahle examples have evinced, 
that genius and fcicnce deck the wreath, which 
valor has won for our country. And may we not 
advert with patriotic pride, to the creative mind 
of another American,f who has adapted a new 
po'v^er in the Arts to the great objects of public 
utility, and private convenience ? It glides in 
beauty over the wave of the Atlantic, and the 
Mifliffippi receives it, to her undulating bofom. 

While all that is manly in fentiment and ia 
a6iion, abounds and flourilhes among us, there is 
an equal growth, of thofe mild and endearing vir- 
tues, which form thedelight of focial inrercourfe. 
The character of our countrywomen exhibits a hap- 
py combination offortitude, affe61ion and purity. 
Doubtlefs they feel univerlally that ardent pat- 
riotifm, that high infpi ration of virtue, wnich ani- 
mated her, who lighted the torch to confume her 
own dwelling, left it (hould be polluted by the foot 



* Dr. RAMSAY. 

t FULTON, the ingenious inventor of Steam Bcatb. 



of tiic fee. The Roman Cornelia and Agrlppina;, 
have been rivalled in America. Such examples, 
as thefe, redeem and illiillrate the chara61:er of an 
age. Agesoi" da; knels, indeed, have been redeem- 
ed by the foul fubduing influence of beauty. 
It incites genius to loar, valor to triumph ; polirfi- 
cs the lavage into rennement, melts the lerocioiis 
into tenderneli and harmonizes the jarring eJe- 
inentS/of focfefy. 
'.The recent events in Eirrope paralize at once 
fcepticifm and propiiccy. Who could have ex- 
pected or Foretold the iuddenneis and celerity, 
with v;hichthe lad revolution in France ha3 been 
acrompiillied, alihough ln*ance has been fo long 
the fcene of Revolution ? Who is there fo wife 
as to have forefeen fuch an event — who fo cre- 
dulous as to have believed in the predi61ion ? If 
Alexander, when, the objeci of the war having 
been obtained, he was unbinding his armour, and 
about^torepofe in Peace and fecurliy ; If, at that 
moment one of ihofe Jpirits, to whom it is given 
to embrace in their vifion the rcceiFes of futurity, 
and predi6l what time will unrdd ; had revealed to 
him what a (vo^^Iq year has developed — if he 
had faid — " In one year your army fhali 
'' march again in^i-y France ; all that you have ac- 
'' complilhed will be undone ; all your battles 
'- will have beep ibught in \ain ; your ncgotiati- 
*•' ons, will terminate as they commenced— Lon;s, 
'' le defire, will again be a vagrant, and in exile ; 
'' the fun, wifich you ihink has let forever, will 
" arife and leafcend the zenith; Napoleon will 
"again be Emperor of France, at ihe h^iid of 



21 

' armies, which you fhall reinforce by the addition 
'' of the veterans, taken in the Ruriian war—uni- 
" verfal terror will fucceed J he ionrr of triumph 
^' and deliverance, which now fills the European 
" world— and that world will be converted into 
'' one vail armoury, torging ^veapons to deflroy 
" an individual/' Such a prophet, at Tuch a time, 
would have been regarded as a harpy, come to 
pollute the feall by his malignant omens. 

And yet he would have related the truth !- -a 
miraculous, a meiancholy truth, already perhaps 
recorded in the tears and blood ofthouiands, and 
proclaimed by the thunders of hofiile artillery ! 
France, inconliant France, welcomes a iecond 
time iheUfurper, and with him the domeftic fuT- 
feringsand foreign wars, which defignate hisieign. 
The love of glory---— the fplendour ot arms, th-e 
vanity of conqueil, at once wretched and ruinous, 
dazzle and feduce this extraordinary people; who 
are content to fuifer, and be conrpifcuous; and are 
always willing to bleed for celebrity. 

The hopes of the Philanthropist are again difap- 
pointed, Europe is doubt lefs, again in arms — IT 
Ihe could recal the banifhed fpirit of liberty, and 
of national Justice — that arena fo often crimloned 
with blood— -where the pride of nations has been 
i\) often humbled, and the hopes ct patriotifm fo 
often betrayed — might become a field, where the 
penerons virtues woui J be the compctiior;i — ih^ 
hjppinefs of man the v/ije^l, and where the, bou 
i.ud the lamb, fuui'liag the predictions of infpira- 
tion, n}i9,at repoie together m perpetua! r)eL::e. 

C 3 



22 

Perhaps out'ofthis new {late of things, caufes 
ofdiflRL^reace may arife between this country, and 
one or both of the beiligerenls; and it is poiTible 
that our peace may be as lliort lived ,as that of 
Europe, It is our intered no lefs than our duty, 
to be Ilri6lly and impartiaHy neutral ; and it can- 
not be the interefi of other nations, that we 
Ihould chanoe our fituation. The political chart 
is before us, and we have only to puriue the track 
of Wafhington : Like the milky way, it is ftud- 
ded with liars. It will lead us in fafety, through 
the perilous ocean, in the ilorms that agitate na- 
tions, and we fliall float in triumph, amid the wreck 
and ruin of ambition and folly; whofe miferable 
and deluded votaries, fhall feek with us an afylum. 
And, ifour forbearance ihould be again infulted, 
or the path of Peace be interdi61cd to us, we will 
go, like Achilles, reluctantly to the field ; but we 
will return, like Achilles, loaded with fpoils. The 
invention of our own citizens has afforded us 
means of attack and defence, iinparrallelledandal- 
moll invulnerable ; and Fulton has given us a 
iliield, far fuperior to thofe, which the gods of fa- 
ble were accuflomed to beilovv on the heroes of 
antiquity. 

Gr-NTLEMEN OF THE CINCINNATI., 

In the annual commemoration of our coun- 
try's Independence, you are again aflembled. The 
war-v;orn veteran meets bis ailbciate in arms, and 
is reminded of long pad fcenes of toil and danger. 
The Youth comes to kindle emulation from the 
fires of patriotism, and to implant in his heart 
the exploits of his fathers. It is for eloquence 



23 

to revive thefe aflbciaticns in all their former' 
ftrength, and to rouie the enlhufiarm of the rifing 
generation, until it equal the felf devotion, which 
chara6leiifcd the leaders and the patriots, of^ the 
American Revolution. No fuch influence can 
be expccled in the performance of the talk, v;hich 
your partiality has alligned to a youth and a 
iiranger ; and yet 1 could not be a stranger, to 
the rtnoivfi, which the Sons of Carolina \\X)n, In 
the combats of '7n — a renown, illuflrated by the 
battles ol Fort Moukric, tJie Cowpens and the 
Eutaw, and requiring no eiTorts of mine, to en- 
creafe its celebrity. 

Who knows, but iho flory of our p^:fl 
achievements, may, have warmed into life, and 
kindled into fplendor, thofe principles of valor 
and patriotifm, which oblained the vi^lories of 
Niagara and Chippewa ? Thus an endlefs fuc- 
ceffion of honorable d^cd^^ Hiall arife and flow 
as from their fource, from the inllitution, and 
the ^ra, which we now commemorate. 

You have lived to fee our country twice af- 
failed — your fvvorcls have not flept in their fcab- 
bards, and you have lived to fee it as often trium- 
phant. 

The tree, you have planted, flill flourifiies. It 
has not withered in the flafh, nor trembled in the 
tempcfl. The Eagle reds on its iummit — the 
Dove is flieltered by its foliage — and its golden 
fruit falls into the lap of Honor. It furvives to 
ihclter the fnow white locks of the veteran ; and 
will fpreadits verdure for ages, over the hallowed 
" dust/' that planted it. 



24 

Annually vve are called to mini^le our fighs, 
with the feflivities of this 'Da3^ Since our lafi: 
anniverfary,* two of our anbciates, whofe fwords 
were drawn with yours, in the war of the Revolu- 
tion, Heep with their fathers. But the memory 
of the brave is notdeftinfd to perifh, whilc.a kind- 
red fpirit remains to preferve It. 
Gentlemen of the Kevoj.utioh Society — 

Yours are thoie kindred fpirits, who fliall re- 
tain and keep alive, the iirc's of freedom. On 
you the mantle of Wafhington has fallen ; and to 
vour vioilant and affectionate care, will too foon 
be configned, the urns and the fame of his com- 
panions in arms. Your AfTociation, formed to 
perpetuate the principles of civil and political 
liberty, is full ot nfefulnefs and honor. 

The fcenes of private and of public life, atted 
your individual merit; and your country may con- 
fide in you, for all that literature can accompli/li, 
:\i\ that Eloquence can infpire, valour achieve and 
Honor purify. Followers of Wafhington, like 
him, vou are not to be feduced from the path oi' 
re^iit'ude, by thofe illufions of ambition, which 
lead men from the race of patriotifm, to the race 
of popularity. Let us rejoice that our indiluiions 
have furvived the fliock of war, that the Peopli: 
ilill enjoy their rights, and that the fnip^ has not 
foundered, in the violence of the florm^ And 
though difunion feemed to threaten our exigence 



* Major FELIX WARLEV and Capt. THOMAS HALL, whofc 

bjoro.rable fctvices will long be i;;ai?mbered with gratitude, by :l:c friendi 
cl" Ain'^rican Liberty a,ud In-Jcrlndence. 



25 

and national Bankruptcy to ingulph our hopes, 
yet we have been providentially prefcrved. Hif- 
tory fccnis to (land on the ruins of Republics ; but 
let us hope, that an adherence to the '' firni, wife, 
dignified/' and pacific policy of V/a(hington, 
may prci'ervc us forever, frcni their fate, 

Uiurpation of povvcr, under whatever prerexr, 
iliould be refilled, as foon as attempted. pRiiE- 
DOM is dearer than life, for it gives all its value 
to cxiftcnce. And^ iliall a Cai^far ever afpire to 
cnflave our country, and find no Enitus to avenge 
it? Shall a Saul ever arife, and not bleed on 
Gilboa? Shall a Washington expire, and his vir- 
tues, his example, and his memory not be che- 
rillied in the hearts of-cmancip*tcd millions? 

To youy Fellow-Citizens generally, this day mufi; 
be peculiarly welcome. The tide ofv%'eaith rufiies 
in upon you. Year former avocations arc renew- 
ed; and you are relcafed from the toils and fuf- 
ferings of war. Your families ilcep in fccurity, 
and the fmile of cheerfuinefs lights once more the 
countenance of beauty. And yet, compared with 
other parts. of the Union, your city has fcarcely 
fufFered. Your youth have not been called \q the 
fhock of battle ; nor your dalightcrs to weep over 
their fallen lovers. 

Your Lines, the eternal monument of your 
Patriotifm, where all claflfes of your citizens la- 
bored like bvefhren in the common caiife, were 
never affailcd by the enemy. If they had been, 
can we doubt that they would llilf have been 
green, and verdant, and covered with laurel? 

D 



1 



i 



26 



Now, my Friends, let us perform the grateful 
ceremonies, which belong to this occafion — Let 
all care be banlfheci — Let the eye glMten with 
tranfport— Let the heart glow with exultation — 
Let the National feeling, be lofty as the JSIaiiomil 
,/amff— and the fong of the Bard, and the voice 
of miiiic, and the peals of artillery* proclaim, 
that this is the JUBILEE OF THE AMERICAN 
STATES.- 



/ 




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